Conservation & Environment

Non-profit organizations that focus on Environment & Conservation protect and preserve Washington County’s water, air, land, plants, animals, and other natural resources. 

Impact

Working with government, corporations and private citizens, Environment & Conservation organizations implement programs and sustainably manage natural resources for the benefit of all living things.

Strengths

• Partnerships between Organizations and Corporations
• Abundance of Natural Resources
• County, City Parks
• Plentiful Outdoor Recreational Opportunities
• Private and Public Funders that Embrace Environmental Initiatives
• Clean-Up Programs
• Tree-Planting Initiatives
• Strong Advocacy for Environmental Practices
• Tourism
• Successful Efforts to Improve Water-quality and Animal Habitats
• Washington County Land Bank

Challenges

The lack of a county-wide recycling program, including tires, leads to illegal dumps which pose environmental and safety hazards. Litter creates an urgent need for more frequent roadside clean-up initiatives. There is a general lack of awareness of challenges faced by these organizations and the programs they provide. With continued residential and economic development initiatives, there is the need to balance progress with protection of natural resources and greenspaces. Members of the focus group expressed their belief that communication and coordination amongst organizations and community leaders must improve. Governmental regulations often create unnecessary obstacles and delays. The internal capacity of organizations cannot keep up with the demand for services. Abandoned properties cause blight and impact conservation efforts. Often major equipment and machinery are needed for projects which lead to logistical issues around acquisition, storage, and utilization.